Raising Awareness
Check out our awareness channel to get the latest sustainable return insights from us and our partners.
We have embedded sustainability within all aspects of our business, and pride ourselves on being at the forefront of sustainable returns. However, we don’t have all the answers. Fortunately, we are connected with industry experts who can fill our knowledge gaps.
That’s why we developed our awareness channel–to foster collaboration with field experts, network partners, clients, innovators, and other Reconomy Group businesses. On this page, we share challenges experienced by the industry and ways to overcome them. We invite our partners and clients to share their findings and solutions so that we can achieve a more sustainable world together. Competition has no place here! In addition to industry insights, you can also find highlighted white papers, articles, and case studies to keep yourself up to date.
An Urgent Call for Circular Solutions
Challenges Affecting the Textile Industry
The environmental impact of textile waste is rapidly gaining attention from governments, retailers, and consumers. And it should! Massive changes are needed to improve the textile industry and reduce its impact on our planet and society.
Here you can find articles on the latest challenges which the textile industry face, including information on upcoming legislation.
In data: OfferUp report claims 58% of shoppers prefer secondhand
A new report from mobile marketplace OfferUp, in collaboration with GlobalData, forecasts 55% growth in the resale market and an estimated value of $291.6bn by 2029.
Nike CEO announces sudden exit weeks after slashing sustainability team staffing
John Donahoe will step down as Nike CEO within a matter of weeks, the business has confirmed in a surprise announcement. The move comes shortly after he significantly cut its team of sustainability professionals.
How Regenerative Farming Creates A Cleaner, Greener Textile Industry
The topic of regenerative agriculture is not new when it comes to food production, but the Regenerative Agriculture Summit Europe was the first time this leading global event unified the food and textile industries to accelerate regenerative agriculture practices through partnership and harmonization.
The sustainability policy changes that fashion retail needs to know in 2024
From supply chain scrutiny to extended producer responsibility, fashion businesses must stay alert to sustainability policy developments coming in 2024. George Harding-Rolls, director of policy and advocacy at sustainability consultancy Eco-Age – which works with brands and retailers such as Diesel and Matches – reveals the key changes coming in the year ahead.
Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact
It is no secret that fast fashion has a significant environmental impact. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Unfortunately, fast fashion problems are often overlooked by consumers.
UK Government publishes full draft Extended Producer Responsibility regulations
Full draft Extended Producer Responsibility regulations have been published by the UK Government with the aim of it coming fully into force by 1 January 2025. Read this article for further information on the regulations.
Challenges Affecting the Electronics Industry
In 2020, a UN global e-waste monitor report found a whopping 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste had been dumped worldwide in 2019, with only 17.4% being recycled.
Below you can read more about the challenges the electronics industry faces, and the solutions which are coming to help drive down the amount of waste.
Is remanufacturing a way to deal with our tons of electronic waste?
Our love of technology and consumer electronics has changed how we work and live for the better, but it is causing issues for our planet due to the amounts of electronic waste (e-waste) being generated and turning up in waste streams.
New substrate material for flexible electronics could help combat e-waste
Electronic waste is a rapidly growing problem, but this degradable material could allow the recycling of parts from many single-use and wearable devices.
Scientists make technological breakthrough that could prevent tons of hazardous e-waste: 'We have created a new formulation'
The heart of an electronic device is the circuit board. These boards are made of tough plastics that make them difficult to recycle. As a result, hundreds of thousands of tons of circuit boards get dumped in landfills each year as gadgets become obsolete. The UW researchers solved this problem by replacing the typical epoxy plastic in circuit boards with a special material called a vitrimer.
Insuring a more sustainable future: The shift to a circular economy for electronics
The circular economy has long been touted as the solution, promised to decouple the pursuit of continuous economic growth from resource extraction. Yet, despite increasing consumer interest and an impetus for businesses and governments to act – progress has remained elusive. Often hampered by ingrained and rigid consumption habits, a lack of meaningful regulation, and industry inertia.
In The Spotlight
Take a look at some of the initiatives we have spotted that retailers are doing to champion sustainability. Do you have a program or report that showcases your sustainability efforts? We would love to share your work here, so please get in touch by using the form at the bottom of this page!
Oh Polly launch rental trial
Oh Polly have launched an exclusive partnership with ZOA, trialing rental for the party season!
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Salvation Army discuss textile recycling
Head of Environment and Sustainability at Salvation Army talks openly about the work they can do in the fashion industry to divert more items away from landfill.
Watch Video
Impact Transparency
Asket use the knowledge of their traced supply chain to calculate environmental impact of all their garments.
Read ReportKnowledge Sharing
Below, we share our own resources, as well as those from industry experts so that you can be kept up to date with the latest information regarding what ReBound, our clients, and sustainability specialists are up to.
ReBound Webinars and Content
Sustainability and knowledge sharing are critical priorities for us, and we aim to publish content and appear on webinars every quarter to ensure that we are sharing our expertise where we can. Here, you can see some of our most recent content.
Whitepaper
Reducing Retail's Carbon Footprint: A Comprehensive Analysis of Returns and Sustainability
Read Now
Podcast
Check out our 'Returns Unboxed' EPR podcast, available from wherever you normally download your podcasts!
Listen on Spotify